December in Korea means holiday lights, snow, cozy hats and scarves, Christmas decorations, and last but not least, plenty of winter festivals. While simply staying indoors is a tempting alternative, try embracing the seasonal temperatures and venture out. There are winter events celebrating everything from arts to plenty of winter activities for everyone to enjoy, young and old alike.
As the solar year’s 12th month comes to an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival locations across Korea to welcome in the first sunrise of 2015. January and February are perfect for reveling in the chilly weather by visiting snow and ice festivals. Popular festivals include Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival, Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, Inje Icefish Festival, and many more. After you’ve had your fill of the snow and ice, head over to Jeju-do for the hot and smoky Jeju Fire Festival.
As the solar year’s 12th month comes to an end and the year draws to a close, people gather at sunrise festival locations across Korea to welcome in the first sunrise of 2015. January and February are perfect for reveling in the chilly weather by visiting snow and ice festivals. Popular festivals include Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout) Ice Festival, Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, Inje Icefish Festival, and many more. After you’ve had your fill of the snow and ice, head over to Jeju-do for the hot and smoky Jeju Fire Festival.
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Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원 오색별빛정원전)
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- Period
- 12.04.2015 ~ 03.13.2016
- Address
- 432, Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432 (상면) - Location
- Main gardens
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-1544-6703
Sponsors / Management- The Garden of Morning Calm /
- Introduction
- Held at the Garden of Morning Calm, the Lighting Festival is the biggest festival of lights in Korea, covering 100 thousand pyeong illuminated by 30,000 lights. The gleaming lights add a festive glow to the garden during the winter season. The main gardens are Hakyung Garden, Hometown House Garden, Bonsai Garden, Moonlight Garden, Sky Path and Garden of Eden, with colorful lights adorning the trees. In the event of inclement weather, lights may be turned off for safety.
- Performance Times
- Lighting hours:
-Every day except on Sundays and some holidays at 17:30-21:00
-Saturdays at 05:30-23:00
-December 24, 25, and 31 at 17:30-23:00
(* The hours are subject to change.) - Admission/Participation Fees
- * Please refer to the homepag for the up-to-date information.
- Age Limit
- Open to visitors of all ages.
- Transportation
- [Bus]
From Sangbong Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal take a bus bound for Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal.
Or,
Take bus No. 1330 at Cheongnyangni Transfer Center (in front of Lotte Department Store) and get off at the Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal.
From Cheonpyeong Terminal, take a bus bound for The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원).
[Subway]
Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeonchun Line), Exit 1.
Go left until you reach the 3-way intersection and turn right. Continue straight toward the Cheongpyeong Catholic Church. Pass by Cheongpyeong Elementary School, turn left, and you will see the Cheonpyeong Bus Terminal.
From the terminal, take a bus bound for The Garden of Morning Calm.
※ Click here for the bus timetable.
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
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Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival (보성차밭 빛축제)
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- Period
- 12.11.2015 ~ 01.24.2016
- Address
- 617, Nokcha-ro, Hoecheon-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
전라남도 보성군 회천면 녹차로 617 (회천면) - Location
- Yulpo Beach (율포해수욕장) and Dahyanggak Pavilion Observatory (다향각 전망대) area
- Telephone
- • 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-61-850-5211~5214
Sponsors / Management- Boseong-gun /
- Introduction
- The installation of a massive Christmas tree will set a start to the Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival, which is located in Boseong-gun at the Boseong Green Tea Plantation, one of Korea’s excellent tourist sites. The evening light ceremony will kick off the festival, where an embroidered spectacle of lights is expected to entrance visitors. Various sites and activities like the giant Christmas tree, a themed street, a galaxy tunnel, illuminations of Botjae and Dahyanggak, a lighted street, a photo zone, resolution stairs, and hanging wish cards will be available.
With a jaw-dropping size of 120 meters high and 130 meters wide, the massive Christmas tree at Boseong Tea Plantation made it into the Guinness Book of Records in 2000, and contributes to making Boseong, Korea’s home of tea and sounds, a well-known Korean attraction. During the festival, the landscape will be graced with a romantic and magical ambience of falling snow created by the arrangement of LED lights. - Programs
- Large tree decorated with lights, photo zone, Milky Way Tunnel, theme street in green tea field, etc.
- Admission/Participation Fees
- Free
- Age Limit
- Open to visitors of all ages.
- Transportation
- From Seoul Central City Bus Terminal, take an express bus to Gwangju (광주).
* Bus Schedule: 05:30-01:00 (next day), 5-10min intervals
From Gwangju U-Square Bus Terminal, transfer to a direct bus to Boseong (보성).
* Bus Schedule: 06:10-21:40, runs 28 times a day
From Boseong Terminal, take a local bus bound for Green Tea Plantation (녹차밭).
* Bus Schedule: 06:00-20:20, runs 22 times a day - Homepage
- www.boseong.go.kr (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)
www.lightboseong.com (Korean only)
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Seongsan Sunrise Festival (제주성산일출축제)
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- Period
- 12.30.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- 284-12, Ilchul-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 일출로 284-12 (성산읍) - Location
- Area of Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉)
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-64-760-4281~4,
+82-64-760-3941~6
- Sponsors / Management
- Seogwipo-si / Seongsan Sunrise Festival Committee
- Introduction
- Welcoming the first day of the New Year, Seongsan Sunrise Festival features a natural festival aiming to spread the natural values of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, a UNESCO World Nature Heritage Site, to see the old year out and the new year in, and to share the traditional culture and artistic themed-tourism among visitors. Peaceful Jeju Island invites tourists to this festival held in Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, featuring an impressive scene that hasn’t changed since the sunrise that was recorded in the Palman Daejanggyeong for the Goryeo Dynasty. Visitors can make wishes for the coming year and enjoy the fascinating sunrise at Jeju’s tourism spot.
- Performance Times
- December 30-January 1
- Transportation
- [Bus]
From Jeju International Airport, take Bus 100 to Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal.
From Jeju Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Ilju Road (East) (동회일주).
Get off at the entrance of Seongsan Ilchulbong (성산일출봉). - Homepage
- festival.jeju.go.kr
(Korean only)
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Ganjeolgot Sunrise Festival (울산 간절곶 해맞이축제)
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- Period
- 12.30.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- 39-2, Ganjeolgot 1-gil, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
울산광역시 울주군 서생면 간절곶1길 39-2 (서생면) - Location
- Ganjeolgot Cape, Daesong-ri
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-52-260-7544
Sponsors / Management- Ulsan Metropolitan City /
- Introduction
- Ganjeolgot Cape in Ulsan offers visitors impressive views of the sunrise and is part of the New Year’s Sunrise Festival every December. The festival starts at sunset on the 31st with cultural events followed by a year-end concert. In addition, fireworks displays, enjoying tteokguk (traditional Korean new years dish) and a wide range of performances fill the evening and last through the night. Visitors may also enjoy the “Starlight Observatory” and a 3-D production about Ganjeolgot Cape and the Ulsan area.
- Transportation
- [Bus]
From Ulsan Intercity Express Bus Terminal, take local bus No. 715 to Ganjeolgot Cape (간절곶).
(Intervals: 35min) - Homepage
- ganjeolgot.ulsan.go.kr (Korean)
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Maryangpo Sunset & Sunrise Festival (마량포 해넘이 해돋이축제)
- Period
- 12.31.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- 56, Seoin-ro, Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 서천군 서면 서인로 56 (마량리) - Location
- Maryangpo Port (마량포구) area
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-41-950-4226,
+82-41-951-4100
- Sponsors / Management
- Seocheon-gun /
- Introduction
- For sixty days before and after December 22, the sun will rise from the southeast, and a good place to view this beautiful, natural phenomenon is on Korea’s west coast in Maryang-ri. To celebrate this, the Maryangpo Sunrise Festival is held every year. Visitors here will witness a very special miracle of nature, as they will see the sun rising and setting in the same place.
- Performance Times
- December 31 (Thu), 2015 at 16:30 - January 1 (Fri), 2016 at 01:30
- Additional Events
- - Sharing of new year tteok-guk (rice cake soup) event
- Campfire experience
- Sending postcards with well-wishes for the new year
- Making a wish at the tree of hope
- Traditional folk game experience
- Making a pinwheel of hope
- Making customized mugs
- 7080 Memory lane photo zone
- etc. - Age Limit
- None (Visitors of all ages are welcome)
- Transportation
- [Train]
Take a train from Yongsan Station to Seocheon Station (서천역).
* Train schedule: 05:35-20:35, runs 16 times a day
[Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Seocheon (서천).
* Bus Schedule: 06:40-17:15, runs 10 times a day
From Seocheon Bus Terminal, take a local bus bound for Dongbaekjeong (동백정).
Get off at the last stop (Maryangpo Port/ 마량포구).
* Bus Schedule: 06:00-20:00, runs 20 times a day - Homepage
- en.seocheon.go.kr (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese)
Homigot Sunrise Festival (호미곶 한민족 해맞이축전)
- Period
- 12.31.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- 136, Haemaji-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
경상북도 포항시 남구 호미곶면 해맞이로 136 (호미곶면) - Location
- Homigot Sunrise Square
(호미곶 해맞이 광장) area - Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-54-270-8282
- Sponsors / Management
- Pohang-si /
- Introduction
- Homigot, the main venue of the Homigot Sunrise Festival, is located on the easternmost point of the Korean Peninsula. Homigot means ‘village on a tiger’s tale’ and is also the location for the first sunrises in Korea.
The festival includes local cultural performances, a New Year celebratory event, fire show, sunrise concert and other diverse performances. Visitors may sample free tteokguk, a traditional New Year’s Day dish, during the special event of ‘Serving tteokguk for 10,000’. Other events such as kite-flying and launching hope balloons with wishes attached will provide enjoyable moments to reflect on the previous year and create new year resolutions. - Age Limit
- None (Visitors of all ages are welcome)
- Transportation
- From Pohang Intercity Bus Terminal, take Bus 200 and get off at Guryongpo (구룡포).
From Guryongpo, transfer to a bus bound for Homigot. (호미곶, 1 hour intervals) - Homepage
- eng.ipohang.org (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)
Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festival (정동진 해돋이축제)
- Period
- 12.31.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- Jeongdongjin2-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
강원도 강릉시 강동면 정동진2리 - Location
- Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park
(모래시계공원) - Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-33-640-5128
- Sponsors / Management
- Gangneung-si /
- Introduction
- The Jeongdongjin area became famous after the filming of the wildly popular drama, ‘Sandglass.’ The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and tickets for the special, ‘Sunrise Train’ to Jeongdongjin usually see out months before the festival.
Scenic pine trees, the emerald-blue sea, majestic cliffs, a tranquil coast, and rustic railways make Jeongdongjin one of the top tourist destinations in Korea. - Age Limit
- None (Visitors of all ages are welcome)
- Transportation
- [Bus]
From Gangneung Express Bus Terminal, take bus No. 109 to Jeongdongjin (정동진).
(Interval: approx. 1 hour)
[Train]
Take a train from Cheongnyangni (Seoul) Station to Jeongdongjin (Gangneung) Station. - Homepage
- gntour.go.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Gyeongpo Sunrise Festival (경포 해돋이축제)
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- Period
- 12.31.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- San 1-1, Anhyeon-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
강원도 강릉시 안현동 산1-1 (안현동) - Location
- Gyeongpodae Beach (경포해변)
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-33-640-5127
- Sponsors / Management
- Gangneung-si /
- Introduction
- This New Year from December 31 to January 1, Gangneung City will hold its annual ‘Sunrise Event’. As well as visiting the area’s attractions such as Gyeongpodae town, visitors will be able to welcome in the New Year by watching a beautiful sunrise. The ‘Sunrise Event’ will include the countdown to the New Year, fireworks, and various enjoyable cultural events.
- Admission/Participation Fees
- Free
- Age Limit
- N/A (Visitors of all age.)
- Transportation
- [Bus]
From Gangneung Bus Terminal/Gangneung Station, take bus No. 202 to Gyeongpodae (경포대). - Homepage
- www.gntour.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
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Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival (여수향일암일출제)
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- Period
- 12.31.2015 ~ 01.01.2016
- Address
- Yullim-ri, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Korea
전남 여수시 돌산읍 율림리 - Location
- Impo Maeul Village (Hyangiram) (임포마을, 향일암) Area
- Telephone
- • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-61-659-4743~4745
Sponsors / Management- Yeosu-si / Yeosu Hyangiram Sunrise Festival Promotion Committee
- Introduction
- Hyangiram Sunrise Festival is an annual overnight festival that begins on New Year's Eve. It takes place at the historic Hyangiram Hermitage, which was built in year 644. As the New Year's Day dawns, visitors can witness the sun rise above the horizon from Hyangiram, which literally means "a hermitage facing the sun."
- Programs
- New Year's celebrations featuring a fire show, folk street music, wish lighting and many more.
- Age Limit
- None (Visitors of all ages are welcome)
- Transportation
- [Bus]
Across from Yeosu Intercity Bus Terminal, take local bus No. 111 or No. 113 to Hyangiram Hermitage (향일암). - Homepage
- ystour.kr/en (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, French)
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[full credits to Korea Tourism Organization]
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